WMATA: Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail 02 19 2016
DC to Dulles and Beyond: Metrorail on Track
Future track supports travel through the snow-covered woodlands at Dulles
Photo by Jennifer Alcott, Capital Rail Constructors.
The blizzard of 2016 and February's ice, rain and snow slowed construction of the second Phase of the Silver Line, but not very much.
While the blizzard piled up to 29 inches at Dulles Airport and 25 to 30 inches at points along the alignment, simply getting to the work site was the main problem for workers, project officials said.
Once onsite, workers spent many hours clearing the snow from construction sites, including the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway corridor, around cargo areas at Dulles Airport and near car rental agencies.
The snows turned the airport into a winter wonderland.
This photo, above, shows the girders that will support the future guideway for aerial tracks for the Silver Line west of the terminal and bound for the Ashburn area where the terminus station is being built.
Actually not, those are the columns for the yard lead elevated that connects the mainline to Dulles Yard.
Construction of Phase 2 of the Silver Line from Reston to Ashburn has hit the 30 percent mark.
"We have continued to build momentum through good weather prior to the recent snow storm, and work is continuing," said Kevin Volbrecht, Project Director for Phase 2, Package A. "The storm didn't impact the critical underground hand-mining for future utilities in the Dulles airport highway corridor." Hand mining is required because of vast amounts of below-grade granite in the corridor.
At Dulles Airport, workers have recovered and removed the snow and are setting 84 and 72 inch girders,
should read 84 and 72 foot girders, according to Volbrecht. However, the pouring of the giant concrete slab for the future Dulles Airport Metrorail Station was delayed to allow the snow to melt and drain.
During the first week of February, crews erected a large tower crane at the site of the future station to be located between Daily Garage One and Saarinen Circle and began pile driving necessary to support construction of the future Reston Parkway station. The project launched extensive public outreach to notify those who live, play and work in the Reston Town Center and other areas where the pile driving noise may be heard.
Noise from blasting to remove granite at the site of the future rail yard being built along Route 606 west of the terminal can be heard near Mercure Business Park. Alerts continue to warn drivers of temporary road closings caused by blasting.
Meanwhile, construction continues in the median of the Dulles International Airport Access Highway, at the future Herndon, Innovation, Dulles Airport and Loudoun Gateway stations. Project officials continue to be optimistic about the pace of construction. "We are expecting to make tremendous progress in 2016," Volbrecht said.
A pile driver similar to the one shown is used to construct the supporting piers of the Silver Line's future Reston Town Center Station.
Photo, Capital Rail Constructors.
Pedestrian Bridge Closes to Make Way for the Silver Line
It should read pedestrian tunnel
Construction of the Dulles Airport Station. Photo Courtesy of Capital Rail Constructors.
The pedestrian tunnel between the main terminal and Garage 1 at Washington Dulles International Airport has been closed to permit construction of the future Dulles Airport Metrorail Station along the Silver Line.
The tunnel will remain closed for approximately two years, during which shuttle buses will carry travelers between the terminal and the garage. Shuttles will run every five minutes during peak travel hours to minimize delays.
"Maintaining pedestrian access is a primary concern as we undertake these changes," said Charles Stark, the Rail Project's Executive Director.
Extensive signage is in place throughout the airport to direct travelers. The Jan. 4 closing required extensive coordination with airport staff. Rail officials and airport staff will continue to monitor travelers' experience and make changes to signage, if needed.
Walkway access between Garage 2 and the main terminal remains open. The construction work includes multiple utility and communication line installations and reconfigurations. In addition, moving walkways must be shortened and adjusted to accommodate the new rail station at the mezzanine level of the airport.
When Metrorail opens, the tunnel will connect the station, as well as the garage, to the terminal.
Silver Line Support Straddle Bents Will Total 8
Gee, I wonder where they picked the term "Straddle Bent"
Photo, Capital Rail Constructors.
Crews working on the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project successfully completed a significant operation on Jan. 8, by pouring 473 cubic yards of concrete needed to construct a large "straddle bent" over the Dulles International Airport Access Highway.
A straddle bent supports a structure that spans a particularly wide area where piers cannot be used directly beneath the span.
Massive concrete operations require significant coordination between project crews and the airport.
The work on Jan. 8 required 49 truckloads of concrete, and caused minimal interruptions to eastbound traffic along the Access Highway. The concrete pour took about 6.5 hours to complete, including preparation time.
To ensure structural integrity, several tests are conducted prior to pouring the concrete. Test cylinders are poured and post-tensioning cables are tested to confirm compliance.
As the project continues, it will require seven additional large straddle bents on or near airport property, including two more over the eastbound Access Highway lanes and one over the westbound lanes. This work is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2016. Work on the four remaining straddle bents over the eastbound lanes of the Dulles Greenway is projected to begin in late 2016.
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Link to PDF version at
Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project web site.
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